Paxton Sues Water Treatment Plant For Dumping Sewage into Cedar Creek

March 18, 2026 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced this week that his office has secured a court order halting the illegal discharge of sewage and waste into waterways in East Texas.

The legal action targets Angelina County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4, which state investigators say had been releasing untreated or improperly treated sewage into Cedar Creek. The creek is part of the larger Neches River Basin, a critical water system for the region.

According to the Attorney General’s office, the lawsuit was filed in early March after an investigation revealed that the district’s wastewater operations were polluting Cedar Creek with contaminants, including ammonia and E. coli. Officials say the pollution stemmed from a leaking lift station that discharged sewage into a tributary feeding the creek.

State officials allege the activity violated both the Texas Water Code and the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, laws designed to protect public health and the environment.

A court has now granted a Temporary Restraining Order, requiring the district to immediately stop all unauthorized discharges and begin cleaning up affected areas. The order is intended to prevent further contamination while the case moves forward.

Paxton said the ruling sends a clear message that environmental violations will not be tolerated.

“Illegal sewage dumping that threatens the health of Texans and harms our beautiful Texas waterways will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.

The Attorney General’s office says it will continue monitoring the situation to ensure compliance and protect nearby communities that rely on the water system.

Officials say the case highlights the importance of maintaining proper infrastructure and oversight when managing wastewater systems across Texas.